Brussels, 12/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEPs have highlighted the uniqueness of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA), an institution of political partnership between the EU and the ACP (Africa/Caribbean/Pacific) group of states linked by the Cotonou Agreement.
In Strasbourg on Wednesday 11 February, they adopted a resolution on the work of the assembly in 2012-2013 by an overwhelming majority (575 votes to 64, with 43 abstentions), giving themselves the opportunity to hail the value of the JPA, at a time when various options are being considered for the future of the ACP group and ACP-EU relations after 2020 (see EUROPE 11234 and 11216).
In following the line taken by rapporteur Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg), Parliament highlights that, since it was set up in 2000, the body, initially called the Joint Assembly, has grown into a genuine joint parliamentary assembly, providing the ACP and EU partners with an indispensable forum for frank discussion on all subject of common interest, ranging from the most controversial, such as terrorism, the Ebola crisis and the rights of homosexuals, to the highly technical. Initially, ACP members of the Joint Assembly were not always elected but could be government representatives. This is no longer the case nowadays.
Parliament believes that the debate taking place on the future of the ACP group and of post-2020 relations between the ACP and the EU reflects the strong, long-term commitment of the JPA to ending poverty, to human rights and to good governance. It highlights the value of holding JPA meetings in the country holding the rotating presidency of the Council, as was the case from 2003 to 2013. Parliament calls on the current Presidency and on future Presidencies to become more closely involved in the preparation, organisation and hosting of JPA meetings. (Aminata Niang)